A delight to read. Gothic romance with all the feels and characters that will make you wish they could walk right off the page. The writing is poetic and flows well with the depth of setting, making this an immersive read. I enjoyed the mystery and found that I never quite knew what might happen next.

I love this author’s work and was excited to read this book. For some reason, I struggled to finish around 50%. But I plan to return and see if I can get back into it because she’s a great author.

Such an original read. Joanna Politano writes good spooky, creepy reads that don't scare the reader but entice them to read. Having the book center around an old victorian mansion added a layer to the story that made me not want to read at night. This is a true rags to riches story.

Another masterpiece by Joanna Davidson Politano. Beautifully written. Excellent character development. Original., captivating read. Highly recommended. Five stars.

What does define you?

This is a very good question posed in this historical novel. And one od the most important questions every woman faces, and so often (and maybe a man, too, but I can only speak from a female perspective). One’ s identity is in the heart of our behaviour and values. If we see ourselves as unworthy, or even shame-worthy, we are hardly able to offer ourselves and the others the love so needed in this world.
The question is not an easy one and we might need to fight hard and often for the answer (depending on our circumstances).
But it is very needed question.

So I get the beautiful intent of the authoress to offer her heroine, Raina, the chance of seeing herself in a different light. Not only as a beautiful, not only as a respectable, not only as one worthy of attention - but that she truly IS someone worthy.
And this intent is what is making this novel a story of light and personal redemption.

But also - to enjoy this novel fully, you need to accept its world without questioning the historical reality. Can a rag woman became an aristocrat without any training? Can a poor girl be educated that much? And a passionate reader - where can she get the books? And if she IS both that educated and that street-smart, can she be also THAT naive and clueless?
And while I admire the beautiful message, I also need to admit that it is not offered subtly.

So, be ready to postpone your logical thinking and your facts a bit. But your heart can gain a lot from this fairytale-like story of one girl finding the true things in life.

Not quite a rags to riches story, Raina Bretton is a rag women in London’s east end when a handsome stranger appears in an alley and offer’s her a chance for an adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from a hard life and give her a chance to be a Lady. This was the first book that I read from the author and will be adding her books to my to be read pile.
If you enjoy reading historical books with a twist, you will enjoy reading this one.
I received a copy from Revell/Baker Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.

~My Review~

I had been meaning to read a book written by this author for a while before I read, “Finding Lady Enderly”.

I’ve had her books on my TBR list for the longest.
For me, I think that this author was a breath of fresh air and reading her novel made me want to finish this books as fast as I possibly could. This was a very exciting read.
Every now and again I can get into a reading slump and just reading a new book really helped me.

This story definitely drew me in from the very first page.

I loved the main character Raina. She was a wonderful character and I felt that I could really indentify with her.

Any novel that has a Jane Austenish (If I could call it that! lol) I’m head over heels ready to devour it!

I loved how the author included little snippets of quotes before each chapter began. I think it added a very nice touch to the book.

I especially loved this quote from the book,”Blessed are those who hand God the reins,for they shall find adventures.”

I thought that this novel was a well rounded book filled with my three favorite things to read about, faith,romance,and adventure. I highly recommend this book and I can’t
wait to see what else this author has in store.

4 stars

Joanna Davidson Politano did a wonderful job with this book. It is my first of hers to read but I'll be anxious to find the others. Finding Lady Enderly had me trying to find spare moments to read another few pages. I love a clean, moral book and this one was perfect. A little mystery and a message mixed with romance and set in my favorite time period.

Raina, the rag seller is pursued by a stranger for the "offer of a lifetime". She can literally go from rags to riches if she will say yes to the strange unfolding offer Victor Prendergast. Leaving behind the only world she knows to walk into the unknown she'll encounter moments that compromise her convictions and make her question the legitimacy of her choices as she seeks to find the real Lady Enderly.

Thank you NetGalley and Revell for a copy of this exciting novel.

I really, really enjoyed this one! The premise was unique, and I loved how atmospheric it was. I love reading these kinds of creepy, Gothicesque novels in the Fall and that's when I read this one. I was glued to the pages until I found out what was going on. Riveting.

A tale of danger and intrigue, Finding Lady Enderly is a fabulous historical mystery! Raina is a rag woman in London who is rescued from her poor existence by a mysterious man who asks her to masquerade as Lady Enderly while the real lady recovers from a trip abroad. But Raina soon discovers that things are not what they seem, and she finds herself trapped by the charade.

Delicious twists abound in this novel, so to say much more would be a disservice to future readers! But here are a few things I loved: Raina and a certain man use books to convey secret messages to one another (a book lover's dream!); much emphasis is placed on the truth setting us free; and so many minor characters are simply delightful!

While it took me a bit to get into the novel, I was soon flying through the pages. This is another solid, enjoyable historical mystery from Politano, and I can't wait to read her next novel!

I liked this story overall. It was a well told Victorian era tale with lots of twists and turns, and more than a hint of the Gothic. Yet. My main complaint is that it seemed to be over very quickly. Perhaps that's because I listened to the audiobook. Basically, whilst it built up to a bit of a climax, it just felt a little rushed, and ended too quickly and easily, with a few loose ends that didn't seem to be tied up.

There were the makings of a great mystery here, but maybe I was expecting too much on that. end, and I just didn't feel quite as drawn into it as with other Victorian stories, like those of Sandra Byrd. Also, some of the Americanisms bugged me a little bit, but they're to be expected with with books from some of the major US publishers.

Overall, Finding Lady Enderly was a good read, and would appeal to those who want a rather less than conventional historical romance. There are vague echoes of other classic stories, especially with the theme of assumed identities.
Its the 3rd novel by this author I've read and I'd certainly read her books in future. Maybe I should just give this one a re-read and see if I can connect with the characters and the story a little more next time around.

Thanks to Revell and Netgalley for an ARC of this title. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.

Finding Lady Enderly was written by Joanna Davidson Politano and is set in England during the late 1800s.
Summary: Raina Bretton is poor. Not completely destitute, but not far from it. She has also lost the only man she has ever loved. So when someone offers to give her a job posing as a lady, she has nothing to lose. She leaves her old life behind, and sets off on an adventure. Unfortunately, this adventure is far from problem-free, and contains more than one sinister mystery.
Posing as a lady is not as easy as she thought it would be, and as she struggles to maintain the demure expected of her, she is sure at any time the truth will be discovered-she is not Lady Enderly.
Even more disturbing are the clues scattered throughout the house-who is the really Lady Enderly, and what has happened to her? The deeper Raina digs into the shadows, the more disturbing truths are uncovered. And to make matters worse, someone from her past appears and threatens to expose everything she is trying to hide.
My Thoughts: This book is so good-tons of mystery and intrigue-trying to figure out who the villains and heroes really are. Also, the storyline is so different from anything I have ever read, and the plot keeps you going-who is the real Lady Enderly, and will Raina be discovered as a fraud? I had a hard time putting it down, and definitely want to read it again. I really do recommend this one-one of my favorites from this year.
I would like to thank Revell for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

Wow, another great title by one of my favorite authors! High quality writing is what I’ve become to expect from this author and again it was a treat. The storyline was fun and unpredictable. A wonderful, delightful read! Looking forward to the author’s next little miracle. :-)

Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

______________________________________________________________________________

Story Notes

Joanna Davidson Politano presents readers with her latest excellent writing that focuses on a young woman who makes a deal to have a better life – a deal with far more strings attached than she ever dreamed.

This was a most excellent read! From the first page I was drawn in to the story that seemed to be totally shrouded in mystery. Some of the happenings almost seemed to be beyond believing but were written with such realistic detail that I could clearly imagine them taking place. The story begins with a young woman named Raina, a rag woman making her way in the world as best she can. The young man she had hoped to marry has been lost at sea and her life looms lonely and long before her. Enter Victor Prendergast, a dangerously charming and handsome man who offers a new life to Raina in exchange for her pretending to be Lady Enderly for a certain period of time. He wishes to help establish his employer as a family man who has brought his bride to the family manor to make it a home. Raina is suspicious of Prendergast’s motives but sees this as her chance to move beyond the squalor of her current situation. Agreeing to come on a trial basis, Raina sets out with Prendergast to Rothburne Abbey and her new role as Lady Enderly. While the home is magnificent in it’s size and outward appearance, there is much that requires repairs and refurbishment inside the doors. Raina does her best to fulfill her role and make the changes she sees necessary while also keeping the secrets she learns along the way. Her biggest challenge comes when the man she loved and thought dead arrives at the Abbey as a footman. Struggling to keep her feelings hidden from others while somehow revealing them to Sully will prove quite the problem but Raina determines to be successful. As she remains at the Abbey for several weeks, Raina begins to question the validity of the story that Prendergast told her. There seems to be no evidence of the real Lady Enderly and no one seems to have ever met her before. How can it be that a woman who is so socially sought after has never been to her home nor met any of the people under her employment? Raina and Sully begin to investigate behind the scenes but run into trouble very quickly. In order to save more than one life, Raina will agree to a Devil’s deal, binding herself to her role indefinitely. As the rest of the story unfolds, the sacrifices of many for the sake of love will be numerous and the truth will finally out. But will everyone be contented with the end and those longing to be together finally get their wish? You’ll have to read to find out! I really enjoyed this book and the characters included. It had a deeply Gothic feel reminiscent of Bronte’s “Tenent of Wildfell Hall” and Austen’s “Northanger Abbey” which I found to be very well done. The naivete of the main character was balanced with her unbeknownst inner strength and determination to save those she cares for instead of herself. Sully was a great hero that had much to learn about accepting help and the protection that comes from those we love. His deep sense of morality and truth would provide the counterbalance Raina needed to make the best decisions for both of them. I was also glad to see that Ms. Politano ensured that everyone got exactly what they deserved. While everyone did not emerge perfectly happy, there was a real sense of justice and forgiveness offered for those who would take it. I love that Ms. Politano’s books require readers to ponder the happenings and not just read along mindlessly. The suspense of the story was palpable throughout each chapter and I really felt like it was very realistic in it’s inclusion. I’ve already got plans to purchase a copy of this book for myself and others as I know I will be rereading it and hope they will enjoy it as well. I will certainly be recommending this book to others and greatly looking forward to the next book from this amazing author.

Revell Publishing provided me a complimentary E-book through NetGalley for review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Raina is one of the most interesting characters I've had the pleasure to read about this year...from the first moment, she's thrown into an impossible situation and left reeling by the demands of her fancy new job. I loved the many layers in the mystery behind what happened to the real Lady Enderly and who she might have actually been, and the deep distrust of all the different servants...who's plotting and who's honest, and which of those are really friends to Raina?

I honestly couldn't put it down and I was walking around doing chores with it in my hand just to find out what happened next. I really love a good suspense story, and this one fully engaged my attention.

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

Joanna Davidson Politano's latest tale, Finding Lady Enderly, will take you to slums of London, England in the late 1800's. You will meet Raina Bretton as she is offered an opportunity to make an escape from her life of poverty. A stranger, Victor Pendergast, walks out of the darkness and asks Raina to come with him and impersonate a wealthy woman who needs a break from her life. After a lot of introspection about the offer, Raina decides to move forward and give this opportunity a chance!

You will not believe the situations that Raina encounters in this new new world. More wealth and freedom than she has ever known; but at the same time, Victor keeps a tight reign on Raina, insisting that she constantly practice a way to fool everyone she meets about her false identity!

Hold fast throughout this gothic tale to discover where God will direct this formerly impoverished young woman named Raina!

Another great mystery by Joanna! A girl that had nothing was offered everything if she just pretended to be someone else. Can her long lost love ever find her again?

A fascinating story premise that I thoroughly enjoyed. The tale moved at a steady pace and kept my attention the whole way through. There was enough mystery woven in that I had to keep reminding myself of the facts and questioning what was real. Several twists and turns left me holding my breath and cheering for the heroine, who is known by many names throughout the story. The pragmatic approach of Sully, who loved his blue cap, kept my feet grounded when I was tempted to get caught up and justify the actions of Raina. A must read for any TBR pile.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Finding Lady Enderly is yet another engrossing read from Joanna Davidson Politano. I love how each book is so distinct from the others, and yet they all carry the same feel to them.
Raina is such an interesting character, and one that I found myself relating to as the book went on, sometimes in surprising ways. The lessons she learns about identity and where that’s rooted are timeless and timely.
I really liked how, at first, the reader is just as in the dark as Raina as to who the villain is exactly. The mystery that shrouds this book is done so well, too. I couldn’t even begin to guess where Lady Enderly was and what tragic thing had happened to her for most of the book.
The other character’s point of view in this book was also well done and one that I really liked.
The romance in this book is very well written, and done in such a sweet, and clever way.
In all, I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t easy to unravel the secrets of Lady Enderly, and by the end of the tale, I felt satisfied with the resolution to it all. Another go-to from Joanna Davidson Politano.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

How hard is it to find a good book? In my experience it is not hard; however, finding a read again book is a little harder. It’s not that I don’t enjoy most books I read because I do. But there is only so much time to read and there are so many new books to be read so unless a book is absolutely amazing, there’s a good chance I may never reread it. With that in mind, Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano was definitely a book I want to read again. What makes this book a read again book for me, you may be asking? Well…

It has the style of beloved classics. Are you a fan of classics such as those written by Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, or others? If you are then there is a good chance that you will enjoy the style that Finding Lady Enderly is written in. It has romance, mystery, and even includes references to many classics.
It had me making incorrect guesses about what would happen the whole way through the book. After each twist and turn the plot took I would have to rethink what I had been thinking.
It had so many details to the plot that I want to reread it just to pick up on any details I missed the first time.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy classics, romances, and mysteries and those who enjoy finding amazing books to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.